Research
Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is committed to using current research to inform policy decisions, to identify best practices, and to evaluate program effectiveness. In some cases, the research used is commissioned or conducted by DECAL; in other cases, DECAL uses external research studies conducted by experts in early childhood care and education. Below are DECAL's research reports relating to early care and education in Georgia.
Latest Research
Quality Rated Validation Report 3: Director, Teacher, and Provider Perceptions of Quality Rated
This is the third report in a series of four from the Quality Rated Validation Project, and the first that presents data collected by Child Trends and Georgia State University. The overarching goal of the Quality Rated Validation
Project is to provide Georgia’s early childhood leaders with high-quality data about the validity of Quality Rated that can be used to
strengthen the system. As part of this data collection, participants were asked for their perceptions of Quality Rated. This report examines
those providers’, directors’, and teachers’, perceptions, including what motivated them to join, what supports they have used and found
most helpful, and their suggestions for improving the system.
Webinar: Findings from Georgia's Quality Rated Validation Study
This webinar recording introduces viewers to DECAL, our Research Team, and our collective efforts around Quality Rated, Georgia's tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System.
During this webinar we detail the findings thus far from the Quality Rated Validation Studies conducted by national researchers from Child Trends. We also discuss how
validation is integrated into the day-to-day management of Quality Rated and direct you to further research and information about the program. If you are an early childhood
professional, provider, or any interested individual wanting to learn more, you are encouraged to listen to this recording.
Basic Health and Safety Practices in Georgia’s License-Exempt Child Care Programs (2018)
In 2016, DECAL contracted with Child Trends to study the basic health and safety practices of license-exempt child care programs. Contract consultants visited a
random sample of license-exempt child care programs to collect data on basic health and safety practices. The health and safety practices of license-exempt programs
were compared to those of licensed programs. The study was conducted, in part, to meet the state's Child Care and Development Fund requirements related to the Child
Care Development Block Grant Reauthorization of 2014. The study will further inform DECAL on how best to monitor and support the health and safety practices of
license-exempt programs throughout the state. The final report is available here.
Key Research
Evaluation of Georgia’s Pre-K Program
Researchers at the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are currently conducting a series of
studies that measure the impact of Georgia’s Pre-K Program. Reports and summaries from the studies are found here.
Quality Rated Validation
DECAL has contracted with Child Trends to assist with its Quality Rated validation efforts, including ongoing analysis of Quality Rated administrative
data and conducting a study of the effectiveness of Quality Rated. Findings related to these efforts will be posted here.
Georgia Child Care Market Rate (2017)
In 2017, DECAL contracted with Care Solutions, Inc. to conduct a Market Rate Survey. The purpose of the survey is to determine local child care
market rates and other information about child care providers in the state. The survey is conducted, in part, to meet the state's Child Care
Development Fund requirements related to the Child Care Development Block Grant Reauthorization of 2014. The final report and appendices are posted here.
Economic Impact of Child Care Industry (2016)
DECAL commissioned researchers from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University to conduct a study of the importance of the early care
and education industry to Georgia’s economy. The report and executive summary are available here.
Third Grade Achievement for Children who Participated in Georgia's Pre-K
Researchers at Child Trends compared third-grade scores on the Georgia Milestones End-of-Grade (EOG) tests for children who had and had not taken part
in Georgia's Pre-K. The study utilized data from GA*AWARDS, the state’s Pre-K through workforce (P20W) longitudinal data system.
Prior Research
Customer Service Survey
DECAL contracted with Georgia State University to conduct a customer satisfaction survey in spring 2012. The report detailing the 2012 findings is
available here. A similar survey will be conducted in late spring 2013.
Evaluations of Pre-K Professional Development
Researchers at UNC’s Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute and Child Trends evaluated the impact of two professional development models on
teacher-child interactions in Georgia’s Pre-K classrooms. Georgia’s Pre-K has followed up on that evaluation with new professional development initiatives.
Results from these evaluations are posted here.
Evaluations of the Summer Transition Program
Beginning in summer 2010, DECAL has implemented a Pre-K Summer Transition Program. In 2013, DECAL began piloting a Rising Pre-K Summer Transition
Program targeted to dual language learners. Reports from the evaluations of the Summer Transition Programs are available here.
Research Related to the DECAL's Child Care Services Division
Research related to DECAL’s Child Care Services Division includes a study validating the current system for determining if a child care facility is
compliant with Georgia’s rules and regulations; a study comparing injury and fatality rates in child care facilities to injury and fatality rates for
similarly aged children in the general population; and an in-depth examination of Georgia’s licensing procedures.
Research Related to the Georgia State Advisory Council
With grant funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Georgia State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care
(now part of the Georgia Children’s Cabinet) commissioned several studies relating to services for Georgia’s children and families. Studies listed here
include an exploratory evaluation of Georgia’s Resource and Referral System and a study from the Department of Public Health that looked at the use of
health screenings. Other studies funded by the Georgia State Advisory Council are found under Research Related to DECAL’s Child Care Services Division,
responsible for licensing, monitoring, and supporting the various types of child care programs in Georgia.
UNC-CH Study of Quality in Georgia (2009-2010)
Researchers at the FPG Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have published three reports from their study
of the quality of early care and education across Georgia. The first report focuses on quality in child care centers in infant toddler and preschool
(non Georgia’s Pre-K) classrooms. The second report focuses on quality in Georgia’s Pre-K classrooms. The third report focuses on quality in family day
care homes. All three reports are available here.
DECAL Early Head Start Child Care Partnership
The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) was awarded $3.5 million dollars per year for five years to serve as a grantee for the DECAL
Early Head Start – Child Care Partnership (EHS-CCP). The partnership currently serves infants, toddlers, and their families. Reports related to this
partnership will be posted here.
If you have questions about or are interested in data or information pertaining to research, contact Dr. Bentley Ponder
at bentley.ponder@decal.ga.gov or make a formal request
at BFTSResearch@decal.ga.gov.